Well if you are passing along someone else's website or idea, that really isn't giving advice is it? My trainer gives nutrition info all the time and is not an RD. I think it is all in the wording...talk to the paralegal.

There's not many certifications for that that I have found. Plus, at the moment I am a full time student, just started a business and I have 2 kids. I've actually been told by several people including RDs that the only people who can "legally" give nutrition advice are MDs and RDs. I have yet to actually see that in writing. Plus I am certain that a sports nutritionist as well as an RD all basically follow the garbage that is our food pyramid. This one thing I have struggled with. I think about going into nutrition all the time, but can't decide to whether it is better to answer the questions based on crappy conventional wisdom just to pass.

I was thinking about a disclaimer. We already have a waiver, we could just add that into there. I have a friend who is a paralegal, I'll ask her opinion on it. Thanks!!

I was seriously about to add a quote to my signature when I saw that you replied. You have the quote I was going to put. Did you by any chance watch "Food Matters" We did and I saw that quote and wrote it down. I liked the overall idea of the movie but not the whole raw vegetarian/vegan slant to it.

I think if you provide a disclaimer (such as below) you should be okay.....although I am not a legal expert and this information is provided for general purposes only.

General Disclaimer - Information and advice provided for by Peak Fit Boot Camp is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Anyone suffering from a condition that requires medical attention or who has symptoms that concern them, should consult a qualified medical practitioner. PFBC and its staff shall not be held responsible for any claims relating to illness or ailments that are deemed to have arisen as a consequence of reading any part, or all of the content provided on this website. The content is provided for general use and may be unsuitable for people suffering from certain conditions, diagnosed or otherwise.

I was wondering if anyone knows what the laws/regulations are on giving nutrition advice. I have been told by many trainers and RD that only RDs can give specific nutrition advice and everyone else can only basically say "here's the food pyramid, follow it" I have yet to actually find anything in writing that states this. I ask this for a couple of reasons. First, we all know that the food pyramid is outdated and incorrect, Paleo lifestyle does not fit into that conventional wisdom. Mark Sisson, Dr. Harris, Gary Taubes, etc all give nutrition advice but are not RDs. I am am a personal trainer, so if I give out advice is it not covered by the 1st amendment as free speech because I am someone that people possibly look to for health advice? Also, my friend and I just started our own bootcamp and we both desperately want our participants to go paleo/primal. We want them to succeed, plus we feel and know that this lifestyle is by far the healthiest. We are adding a section to our webpage that contains links to MDA and others, plus recommended reading and recipes that are all paleo/primal. (ok, I am going to shamelessly self promote, but I don't think any of you are in this area). I would really love to get some feedback on our page and bootcamp philosophy. If you'd like you can visit our site at: www.peakfitbootcamp.com and find us on Facebook as PeakFit BootCamp or https://www.facebook.com/pages/PeakFit-BootCamp/204097262935376.

I'd really love to know how we can advocate paleo/primal lifestyle without getting into legal trouble or anything like that.

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